MMA Fighter Fedor Emelianenko Questioned Over Links to Trump

Russian fighter also knows Vladimir Putin, Michael Cohen.

Russian mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko (L), president of the Russian MMA Union, multiple World Combat Sambo Champion, gives a masterclass to Primorye fighters at the Molodyozhny Sports Complex. Yuri Smityuk/TASS (Photo by Yuri SmityukTASS via Getty Images)
Russian mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko (L), president of the Russian MMA Union, multiple World Combat Sambo Champion, gives a masterclass to Primorye fighters at the Molodyozhny Sports Complex. Yuri Smityuk/TASS (Photo by Yuri SmityukTASS via Getty Images)

The FBI has entered the ring with a Russian mixed martial arts, questioning Fedor Emelianenko this week over his connections with President Donald Trump, attorney Michael Cohen and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Emelianenko was questioned in his hotel room on Tuesday, his manager, Jerry Millen, confirmed to The Associated Press four days later.

The agents also apparently attended the 41-year-old Emelianenko’s fight on Saturday night.

The AP writes: “Putin has attended fights, and the 41-year-old fighter has been photographed with the Russian president. His connection with Trump dates back to 2008 when he was signed by Affliction Entertainment, a fight league in which Trump had an ownership stake. Trump announced a joint venture involving MMA and Emelianenko at a news conference on June 5, 2008.”

Cohen was the chief operating officer of Affliction, which folded after two events headlined by Emelianenko. Trump’s personal lawyer is being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller in an ongoing probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Putin administration.

 

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